A HARD-WORKING athletics official has won a prestigious national honour.

Irene Nicholls scooped the title of administrator of the year in the Sunday Times Sportswomen of the Year Awards.

The Bromsgrove and Redditch Athletic Club committee member has been recognised for her tireless efforts at club and international meetings across the country.

She is often the first to arrive and the last to leave - seeding competitors and compiling results.

The retired headteacher was nominated by the secretary of the British Veterans Athletic Federation, Bridget Cushen, of Croydon.

Her letter to the awards organisers said: "Her contribution to the sport is immeasurable."

She added: "Irene is first on the list of musts for meeting directors.

"She does not have a free date in her diary at weekends and weekdays there are always school or other championships."

Irene, of Alvechurch, was also involved with collating the Bromsgrove and Redditch club's official records.

Club chairman Richard Underwood said: "This award is richly deserved. Irene can always be relied on to help at meetings for club, county and international competitions."

Irene is also chairman of the Midland Veterans AC and Veterans Athletic Association of England.

Former tennis star Annabel Croft announced the award-winners at a ceremony in London on December 11.

Brave yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur was named as Sportswoman of the Year and former Olympic pentathlon gold medallist Mary Peters lifted the Lifetime Achievement gong.